EDLD 5366 Week 1 Assignment: Analysis of Ancient Manuscript

Upon examining the Bible from Ethiopia, my first impression of this ancient work in regards to design is that despite the fact that it was created many years ago, amazing design techniques were used that early on. The designer successfully employed all four principles of design, thus resulting in a great piece of work that is studied by many still to this day. In regard to the principle of contrast, all pages in the Bible feature black text versus a beige background, and red text versus a beige background. This allows for easy visibility of the text. In regard to the principle of repetition, all pages with text feature the text split into two columns. The pages with text are on the right-hand side of the book, with a large picture on the left-hand side of the book. All pictures drawn on the Bible are painted within a square. All pages with text feature the same elaborate border at the top of the page. In regard to the principle of alignment, all pictures in the Bible are placed in the center of the page. All text is split evenly in the middle, thus creating two columns. To help us, the viewers, understand the importance of this manuscript, the artist carefully drew pictures throughout the book to accompany all text. This allows those of us that are unfamiliar with the language used to still understand what is going on page after page. This usage of pictures being placed next to the corresponding text shows successful usage of the principle of proximity. It is amazing to see all the details that go into place when one carefully analyzes any piece of work.